Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.